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Davis returns to lineup after missing one game

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Davis' RBI single 0:37

5/5/13: Chris Davis drives in the Orioles' sixth run of the game with an RBI single to center in the top of the eighth

By Brittany Ghiroli
/
MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- Orioles first baseman Chris Davis was back in the starting lineup on Sunday against the Angels after exiting in the fifth inning of Friday's game with a right knee injury that was later diagnosed as a tendinosis in the patellar tendon.

"Chris feels good," manager Buck Showalter said of Davis, who tested his knee with some pregame running and swings in the batting cages. "It was pushing it a little bit to play [Saturday]. He feels good. He doesn't feel anything. We'll see. So far, so good. It's always a different level when you play, but I'd like to find out."

Davis said that the running went well and he has been walking around without any issues, sporting a right-knee brace and appearing in good spirits. The 27-year-old Davis had originally targeted Tuesday as a return date, but given the nature of the injury, Showalter said having an extra day or two -- with Monday's off-day -- wouldn't have made a difference.

Davis certainly made a difference with his bat, delivering a key two-out single that was the start of a three-run eighth inning. The Orioles went on to win, 8-4, to take the series.

"It felt good," said Davis, who said turning his knee with no issues on a fly ball hit earlier in the game was a positive sign. "It was one of those things where I just needed to get into the game to test it. It's obviously going to be a little sore for the next few days. I think anytime you injure something ... I hate to use the word injured, but anytime you tweak something it's going to be sore for the next few days. Tomorrow's off-day is going to be huge."